The Arms & Equipment in the Civil War Message Board

Colt navy 1851

This pistol is an family treasure and I've been trying to learn as much as possilbly
So any advice would be great and what I have found is from the barrel I know
Where and what number it's sposed to be but it also says that there should be
Five numbers for the serial and there are only three so does that mean 297 made
Or did they make commerative series of colt navy and that's what it is not for sale
Just curius any input would be great thank you.